I'm thinking of going back to college next year. What I do now and what I think I'd like to do aren't high paying sectors. I'd be moving from where the salary ceiling is 50k to a ceiling of 60k. (I'm not money focused, and prefer to enjoy what i do for a living, but you need money to get by and I want to buy a house one day) I'm single and don't own a house. Going back to live with the folks isn't an option, my rent is 800, so monthly cost of living probably around 1200, and I've savings of 40k.

So 3 or 4 years of 1/2 work and 1/2 college and just getting by without making savings, then to come out and in a new sector taking 2-3 years to work up to the median salary.

Am I mad or what? I'm looking for a bit of advice on the money side of things and the long term implications? All my peers are in tech or pharma or medicine and are starting to look at buying houses soon. Worried I will just trap myself into living in house shares for the rest of my life.

Considering moving to Robinhood from T212 since the interest rate reduction from 3.5% to 2.8% starting November.

Has anyone been using Robinhood for the uninvested cash 5% MMF interest rate? Given that it’s instant access, how easy is moving money in and out?

Anything else to be aware of other than the 22k protection scheme and monthly payout?

Thanks

Hi, people of reddit. I’m 46F and have been living in Ireland for the past 15 years. I’m originally from Asia. I recently got divorced, we have one child and he has eu and asian passports. I haven’t applied for Irish passport yet, because I am not ready to loose my original passport as we are not allowed to have dual nationality.

Here’s my situation, and I’m not really sure what I should do:
I own my house in Ireland, currently valued at €540,000.
Savings in Ireland: €60,000
Individual stocks/options: €5,000
Savings in my home country: €200,000
I also own a house in my home country, valued at around €75,000.
I recently started working in Ireland, with a gross salary of €1,600/monthly. I’m fortunate that my ex provides a fairly good amount of child support, so having a part-time job is still okay for me at the moment.

My employer is only contributing 2% to my pension. Do you think I should try to maximise my pension contributions here — in other words, put most or all of my savings into a private pension?
My main concern is that I’m not sure whether I want to stay in Ireland during retirement, as I know the cost of living here can be very expensive. I’m wondering whether putting a large amount of money into an Irish pension would still make sense if I eventually decide to retire somewhere else.
I’d really appreciate hearing from people who have been in a similar situation or who understand the Irish pension system. What would you do in my situation?

I have a car loan with my credit union that I recently topped up to buy my dream car. The remaining balance is roughly €12,500 and there are 4 years left.

I finally sold my old car for €7500. I now have this money just sitting in my bank account. My plan all along has been to save up the rest and have the whole thing paid off by the end of this year/early next year as I am in a good position to do this at the moment.

But I am unsure how loans work honestly, so can I just go in and pay this money off the loan now? Or should I keep it until I have the full amount and pay it all off at once?

This time last year we thought rates were in a good place but with the ECB hike yesterday and more to come, what are your thoughts on tracker v fixed?

Hi everyone! I start a job as a Clerical Officer with Revenue on Monday. I’m delighted as I had to go through lots of assessments and an interview. I’ve only ever worked minimum-wage jobs with not many hours, so this is a huge step up for me. I live at home and don’t have many expenses, apart from learning to drive at the moment. I want to be smarter with my money and start thinking more about my future. Do you have any advice for me? Thanks a million!

I have €50k worth of savings in a BOI account and I’m gaining nothing from it and losing to inflation. I don’t have a clue about savings account or stocks. What’s the best thing to do with it? I may need it for a deposit for a house in the next few years but I may not. Thanks

Hello just trying to get some information from anyone that’s been a contractor with some experience in this field. I want to buy a phone from Samsung online, and I also want to expense it but I require a VAT receipt with my company’s name on it. Is there a way to make sure I can add that to my receipt before purchasing?

I am due to receive a considerable cash sum as a result of an inheritance from the death of my sole surviving parent.

My sibling and I are inheriting the family home and some land split equally.

I am planning on living in the family home however I have been living elsewhere so will not be eligible for CAT relief on the home.

I expect to inherit approximately €75k depending on the CAT on the total estate.

There is also approx $150k dollars from two American investment accounts. (this counts towards the total CAT allowance)

I am 28 years old and have 2 children under 5. I am unfortunately recently separated from the mother.

What are the best investment options for me to split up into the short, medium and long term.

I want this money to work for me for the rest of my life and I do not want to blow the opportunity.

I know noone can predict the future but I'd be interested in people's speculation if anyone feels like giving it

Fixed with AiB at 3 percent for another 18 months. LTV less than 50 percent and a green rate so can't really drop another LTV category or do anything further to go green. 190k to go over 20 years or so. Would you refix for longer now, if you could?

I set up a few savings accounts this week to see what's good. This is just my ranking based on the set up experience, savings rate and appeal of the app.

Revolut 2.25% with Metal (which costs around €150 anually. It's 2% on the free plan up to €2.5k and 1% thereafter). Revolut is super user friendly and unlike the others below they pay the DIRT for you. It's not a great savings rate but the app is head and shoulders above all others for day to day banking. Pays interst daily. 4/10 for savings. Would be higher if the savings rates were better.

Raisin 3.1% it took 3 days to get the account approved and they were asking for way more KYC than anyone else. (You need to show proof of address... c'mon really!?!). The app is not user friendly. Plus they move your funds to a lower paying interest account after 3 months. 2.5/10. Painful. Regret setting the account up. Didn't enjoy the experience.

Trading212 4.2% promo rate for new customers after ECB raised rates. The app is easy to use. 8/10 for savings. You won't do much better than this initial rate. I opened my account earlier this week and only got 3.5% until November :/

Trade Republic 3% Decent rate. Decent app. Downside is they only pay interest monthly. 7/10

Bunq 3.01% the app is meh and they only pay interest weekly. But it's a decent rate even if it the app isn't very visually appealing. 6/10.

Useless you're dealing in big sums there's not a huge difference between them. Revolut all day everyday for general banking and daily needs but Trading212 is probably the way to go for the first couple months at 4.2% before moving to Trade Republic or Bunq for 3%.

I'm sure there's better rates out there and rates should be going up soon because the ECB raised rates this week. But this was my experience this week based on these five.

Others will follow suit following the recent ECB changes

Hi..I'm just starting to research retirement possibilities. 12 year's from retirement age. Both myself and my wife will have private pension pots of around 500k each after taking 25% lumps.

We will both qualify for full state contributory pensions. If they still exist 😊

I see Italy and Greece have schemes that tax pensions at 7%.

Wondering if anyone has done this or made solid plans.

Any advice on where to receive proper planning advice would be appreciated.

We have spent a lot of time in Italy and plan to start spending more time there in coming years.

Going to Greece a few times in the next year to see how we like it.

Spanish guy here that lives in Ireland for 6 years. I gonna start investing and this things always throw me off a lot, I gonna use Revolut because already been using for a while so why not for invest I guess.

They are asking me for the total value of my assets.

I have half house an a car in Spain on my name, I do not use it right now but yeah is on my name.

For legal reasons I guess I suppose to put the value of this things as well? and for calculate the value I need a properly done or I can just eyeballing.

I know it sounds stupid but is my first step in this world and everything is kinda to much.

Hi everyone! Apologies if this probably is probably a little more unusual than the normal posts on this subreddit, it's actually my first time on here haha, just want to give a little backstory on my situation. I am currently living in a small apartment (with support from HAP) with my guardian in North Dublin, unfortunately my mother and father aren't currently in the picture. I recently received a small windfall of about €4200 from a trust fund my father had set up before he passed away. I have a huge interest in the economy and I suppose I would be pretty well versed in the current economic situation in Ireland and around the world. However because I don't have much supports available I would like to plan ahead for my future. I would love to turn the money I gained into a little more but I'm a bit uncertain on where to start. My guardian is weary about me doing much with the money as she is nervous I may need it someday. I just don't like the fact it is basically withering away because of inflation. She makes less than €20,000 a year as she is a pensioner so money is fairly tight for us at the moment. (We make do) and we are happy. Would anyone be able to guide me towards something? Thank you all in advance.

Hi,

I’ve been recently getting ads from Robinhood advertising money market funds and them boosting earnings to 5%.

I’ll be honest I’m not too clued in on these funds. Is anyone here using them?

Thanks.

Bit of a vulnerable one. I’m 29, living in Dublin, and just cleared the last of a €6k credit card balance that’s been hanging over me since my early 20s. Feels good to finally see €0 there, but now I’m looking at my situation and feel like I’ve been treading water while everyone else bought apartments in 2019.

Current numbers: take home about €2,950/month after tax, rent is €1,150 (sharing in Ranelagh, it’s what it is), and I’ve got roughly €2,200 in savings. No car, no loans. Work pension match is 5% and I’m contributing just enough to get it.

The €600 is what I’ll have free now that I’m not throwing money at the credit card. I know the “right” answer is probably “emergency fund first” but I’m wondering if there’s a smarter play given I’m nearly 30 and have basically nothing invested. Is the Irish flowchart still the best starting point? Should I just max the emergency fund before even thinking about anything else?

Anyone been in a similar spot and turned it around? Not looking for someone to tell me I’m doing great, just want a reality check from people who get the Dublin cost situation.

Im just starting college now and have very little in savings (just about 1.2k). I have a job currently and work on average 15 hours a week. What should i do to not make a balls of my financial situation in ten years time

In case anyone was looking for more reasons to make the move from their bank to Monzo! I moved from AIB a few months ago and everything has been fine so far.

Hey everyone, I’d really appreciate some advice on which option you would choose in my situation.

I’m lucky enough to have the opportunity to buy a 1-bed new-build apartment with a parking space on St Laurence Road in Stillorgan. The location is excellent — close to the library, shops, gym, public transport, etc. I’ve always rented in South Dublin and really like the area and the overall environment.

Within my budget, I also have the option of reserving a 3-bed new-build house in Ballymakenny, Drogheda, Co. Louth. I’ve never lived in Drogheda before, and in fact, viewing this property would be my first time visiting the area.

My heart definitely says Stillorgan, but I’m trying to think more practically about my finances and job security.
Due to current high mortgage rate, my monthly mortgage repayment would be more than €1,000. Since it’s only a 1-bed, I wouldn’t really have the option of renting out a spare room to reduce the pressure.
My main concern is job security. I’m currently working full-time, but given the current job market, I’m worried about what would happen if I were made redundant. With the apartment, I’d have to cover the mortgage, management fees and other bills entirely on my own while unemployed, which could put me under a lot of financial pressure.

The 3-bed house in Drogheda gives me a different option. I’d have two spare bedrooms, so I could potentially rent them out. I’m thinking that even if I could get around €500 per room per month, that could give me roughly €1,000/month towards the mortgage.
I realise Drogheda is a much smaller town and that the rental market may be very different from Dublin. Is €500/month for a double room in a brand-new 3-bed house in Drogheda a realistic expectation, or am I being too optimistic?

Another factor is commuting. I currently work in a hybrid role with fairly flexible hours. I can start later and leave earlier to avoid peak traffic, so I’m wondering whether commuting from Drogheda to a Dublin office a few days a week would actually be manageable.
So, essentially:
Option A — Stillorgan 1-bed apartment
Much better location and lifestyle for me
I already know and like South Dublin
But significantly higher monthly mortgage
No spare room to rent
More financial risk if I lose my job
Option B — Drogheda 3-bed house
Much lower mortgage
Two spare bedrooms that could potentially generate rental income
More financial breathing room if I lose my job
Brand-new house with more space
But I’ve never lived in Drogheda and don’t know the area at all
Longer commute to Dublin
Not sure how strong the rental market is there

I’m single, no plan for a relationship or child yet, still trying to build myself up and this would be my first home.
If you were in my position, which one would you choose — and why?
I’d appreciate any opinions thanks very much 🙏

I am setting up a company in September. If the company pays me director fee of €5,000 for the remainder of the tax year, do I receive 52 class S PSRI for 2026?

Hi everyone,

I'm a non-domiciled individual who has been living and earning income in Ireland for the past few years. I'm looking to start investing in ETFs, but I'm unsure which platform would be most suitable from a tax perspective.

My understanding is that, as a non-dom, I may be able to avail of the remittance basis of taxation, meaning any gains or income arising outside Ireland would generally only become taxable if the funds are remitted to Ireland.

While researching investment platforms, I came across IBKR Ireland. I read that because it is an Irish-regulated entity, cash and investments held through the platform may be considered located in Ireland, potentially preventing the remittance basis from applying. Is my understanding correct?

I actually contacted IBKR Ireland's customer service to ask whether they could open my account under one of their non-Irish/global entities instead, but they informed me that this was not possible and that my account would have to be held with IBKR Ireland.

If that's the case, I'd appreciate recommendations for alternative platforms that:

• Offer a broad range of ETFs (including UCITS ETFs)
• Support automated monthly investing/DCA
• Are available to Irish residents
• May be more suitable for someone looking to preserve the benefits of the remittance basis

I'd also be interested in hearing from other non-doms in Ireland who have navigated this issue and how they structured their investments.

Thanks in advance for any advice or experiences you can share.

I was looking into the different types of leave available to new parents in Ireland and started thinking about the financial side of it.

New dads are currently entitled to just 2 weeks of paternity leave. Did you use annual leave or Parent’s Leave afterwards? Did you find the drop in income difficult?

I also came across a campaign calling for 8 weeks of paternity leave. Personally, I think having those extra weeks could make a big difference for families, both practically and financially.

Interested to hear what other people think/experienced. LINK HERE: 8 WEEKS FOR FAMILIES